I sent it to the questioner directly... I will try and post my answer again here.. I kept getting a 404 error.

Yes they are a real group and the information you have been given on this topic is factual.

Here is an interview with Kerry on the topic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlQsHC9WzO8

Here is an interview with Bush on the topic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiisokDGbfA

This was covered during the election. It goes a lot deeper then skull and bones.

Skull and Bones (also known as "Chapter 322" and "Brotherhood of Death")

The German Brotherhood of Death Society is the Thule Society.

"First let's look at the beliefs of the Skull and Bones, Nazi Germany counterpart, the Thule Society. The Thule Society ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thule_Society ) helped to form the Nazi Party and existed to help its members reach high positions in government to help further their own agenda. Sounds like Skull and Bones right?

Here are the beliefs of the Thule Society

- Thule was a legendary island in the far north, similar to Atlantis, supposedly the center of a lost, high-level civilization. But not all secrets of that civilization had been completely wiped out. Those that remained were being guarded by ancient, highly intelligent beings (similar to the "Masters" of Theosophy or the White Brotherhood).

- The truly initiated could establish contact with these beings by means of magic-mystical rituals.

- The "Masters" or "Ancients" allegedly would be able to endow the initiated with supernatural strength and energy.

- With the help of these energies the goal of the initiated was to create a race of Supermen of "Aryan" stock who would exterminate all "inferior" races.

- They were Satanists who practiced Black Magic -- this means that they were "solely concerned with raising their consciousness by means of rituals to awareness of evil and nonhuman intelligences in the universe; and with achieving means of communication with these intelligences." (Ravenscroft, p. 161). Concentrate on that seemingly innocent word, rituals.

- Thule members practiced a form of Sexual Magic derived from a lodge of which Aleister Crowley was a member. Crowley was recognized as the foremost worshipper of Satan in the 19th Century. "The origin of this...medieval magic...can be traced to a Freemason, Robert Little, who founded the Societas Rosicruciana in 1865... (Ravenscroft, Spear of Destiny, p. 164-5). While the actual sexual perversions which were practiced are too offensive to share, the results are not. Author Revenscroft stated that "indulgence in the most sadistic rituals awakened penetrating vision into the workings of Evil Intelligences

-The Thule Society regularly held occultic seances, during which time they communicated with demons who were either masquerading as a dead person or who were just appearing as their guiding spirits. Dietrich Eckart, Alfred Rosenberg, and Adolf Hitler invoked the Anti-Christ into manifestation at the mediumistic seances of the Thule Group in Munich." (Ravenscroft, Spear of Destiny, p. 168) Eckert believed he had been told by his guiding spirit he would have the privilege of training the coming Great One, the Anti-Christ. From the beginning of their association, Eckert believed Hitler was Anti-Christ.

The Skull and Bones the American extension of the Thule Society also incorporates sexual activities into their practices. "The death of the initiate will be as frightful as the use of human skeletons and ritual psychology can make it..." (Esquire Magazine, "The Last Secrets of Skull and Bones", Ron Rosenbaum, p. 89). Sexual perversion is part of ritual psychology. Ron Rosenbaum, author of the Esquire Magazine article, stated that on initiation night, called tap night, "...if one could climb to the tower of Weir Hall, the odd castle that overlooks the Bones courtyard, one could hear strange cries and moans coming from the bowels of the tomb as the 15 newly tapped members were put through what sounded like a harrowing ordeal..." (Esquire, September, 1976, p. 86).

In William Cooper's book, Behold a Pale Horse, he says "...Members of the Order (Skull and Bones) take an oath that absolves them from any allegiance to any nation or king or government or constitution, and that includes the negating of any subsequent oath which they may be required to take. They swear allegiance only to the Order and its goal of a New World Order...according to the oath Bush (speaking of the first president Bush) took when he was initiated into Skull and Bones, his oath of office as President of the United States means nothing."

The only thing which is important to the Skull and Bones is their goal of a New World Order. In conjunction with this understanding, remember one other Secret Society belief, i.e., the ends justify the means.

Ron Rosenbaum began the research necessary to write his article for Esquire, he was warned about the power of Skull and Bones. "The power of Bones is incredible. They have their hands on every lever of power in the country."

As Rosenbaum continued his research, he found definite links between Bones and the Bavarian Illuminists. The Bavarian Illuminists were part of the original Masters of the Illuminati. First, Rosenbaum discovered documents which detailed the origins of Bones back to Germany. These documents stated, "Bones is a chapter of a corps of a German University..." The document described at length its relationship with this German Secret Society (the Thule Society) which lead to the founding of the Skull and Bones in 1832.

Secondly, Rosenbaum discovered that, "above the arched walls above the vault of the (Bones) sacred room, #322", is a painting of skulls surrounded by Masonic symbols. Above this painting is the slogan, in German, which means, "Who is the fool, who the wise man, beggar, or king? Whether poor or rich, all's the same in death." This means that only the works which one does in this life is what matters; in death, all men share the same fate. This statement is very consistent with the teachings of Secret Societies, showing their Works-oriented philosophy.

Thirdly, Rosenbaum discovered a "haunting photograph of the altar room at one of the Masonic lodges at Nuremberg that is closely associated with Illuminism. Haunting because at the altar room's center, approached through an aisle of hanging human skeletons, is a coffin surmounted by...a skull and crossed bones that look exactly like the particular arrangement of jawbones and thighbones in the official Bones emblem. {Finally}, the skull and crossbones was the official crest of another key Illuminist lodge..." (Esquire, p.88). It is shocking also when we realize that German Nazi death camp guards wore this emblem of Skull and Bones on the shoulders of their uniforms.

You then advance from skull and bones to the bohemian grove.

What is the bohemian grove? The Bohemian Grove is a 2700 acre redwood forest, located in Monte Rio, CA. It contains accommodation for 2000 people to "camp" in luxury. It is owned by the Bohemian Club.

Who are the present members?

The Club has evolved into an association of rich and powerful men, mostly of this country (there are similar organizations in other countries). Some artists are allowed to join (often at reduced rates), because of their social status and entertainment value. The membership list has included every Republican U.S. president (as well as some Democrats) since 1923, many cabinet officials, and director; & CEO's of large corporations, including major financial institutions.

What industries are represented among the members?

Major military contractors, oil companies, banks (including the Federal Reserve), utilities (including nuclear power), and national media (broadcast and print) have high-ranking officials as club members or guests. Many members are, or have been, on the board of directors of several of these corporations. You should note that most of the above industries depend heavily on a relationship with government for their profitability.
The members stay in different camps at the Grove, which have varying status levels. Members & frequent guests of the most prestigious camp (Mandalay) include: Henry Kissinger, George Schultz, S. D. Bechtel, Jr., Thomas Watson Jr. (IBM), Phillip Hawley (B of A), William Casey (CIA). and Ralph Bailey (Dupont). George Bush resides in a less prestigious camp (Hillbillies) with A. W. Clausen (World Bank), Walter Cronkite, and William F. Buckley.

What activities take place at the grove?

The grove is the site of a two week retreat every July (as well as other smaller get-togethers throughout the year). At these retreats, the members commune with nature in a truly original way. They drink heavily from morning through the night, bask in their freedom to urinate on the redwoods, and perform pagan rituals (including the "Cremation of Care", in which the members wearing red-hooded robes, cremate a coffin effigy of "Dull Care" at the base of a 40 foot owl altar). Some (20%) engage in homosexual activity (but few of them support gay rights or AIDS research). They watch (and participate in) plays and comedy shows in which women are portrayed by male actors. Although women are not allowed in the Grove, members often leave at night to enjoy the company of the many prostitutes who come from around the world for this event. Is any of this hard to believe? Employees of the Grove have said that no verbal description can accurately portray the bizarre behavior of the Grove's inhabitants.
Besides this type of merriment. the annual gathering serves as an informational clearing house for the elite. The most powerful men in the country do their "networking" here, despite the Grove's motto "weaving spiders come not here" (don't do business in the Grove). At these gatherings men representing the government, military-industrial, and financial sectors meet and make major policy decisions. The Manhattan project, which produced the first atomic bombs, was conceived at the Grove in 1942. Other decisions made at the Grove include who our presidential candidates will be. There are speeches, known as "Lakeside Talks", wherein high-ranking officials disseminate information which is not available to the public-at-large.

What are the topics of discussion at the Lakeside Talks? http://www.sonomacountyfreepress.com/bohos/highlights.html

What's not right about this?

When powerful people work together, they become even more powerful. The Grove membership is wealthy, and becoming more so, while the middle class is steadily becoming poorer. This close-knit group determines whether prices rise or fall (by their control of the banking system, money supply, and markets), and they make money whichever way markets fluctuate. They determine what our rights are and which laws have effect, by appointing judges. They decide who our highest officials shall be by consensus among themselves, and then selling candidates to us via the media which they own. Important issues and facts are omitted from discussion in the press, or slanted to suit their goals, but they are discussed frankly at the Grove. Is there true democracy when so much power is concentrated in so few hands? Is there any real difference between the public and private sectors when cabinet members come from the boardrooms of large corporations? Is the spending of billions on weapons, which are by consensus no longer needed, really the will of the people? Or is it the will of General Electric, General Dynamics, and the other weapons contractors represented at the Grove?
What can I do to make a difference? Educate yourself about the Grove and it's inhabitants, and the true nature of the power structure in the world. Then educate your friends. Since most major newspapers and broadcast stations are owned by "insiders", be wary of everything you hear in the press. If you can, participate in protest activities during the July retreat.

How do I get more information about the Grove?

Send a note to: Bohemian Grove Action Network, P.O. Box 296, Occidental CA 95465. A $5 donation to cover printing and mailing costs is requested.

Once you have attended the Grove and the cremation of care…

Cremation of Care

The Cremation of Care ceremony was devised in 1893 by a member named Joseph D. Redding, a lawyer from New York.[11] It was originally scheduled to follow the serious "High Jinks" dramatic performance (later known as the Grove Play) on the first weekend of the summer encampment, and served as a catharsis for pent-up high spirits. In 1913, the ceremony was separated from the Grove Play and moved to the first night to become "an exorcising of the Demon to ensure the success of the ensuing two weeks". The Grove Play was moved to the last weekend of the encampment.[13]
The ceremony involves the poling across a lake of a small boat containing an effigy of Care (called "Dull Care"). Dark, hooded figures receive from the ferryman the effigy which is placed on an altar and at the end of the ceremony, is set on fire. This "cremation" symbolizes that members are banishing the "dull cares" of conscience.[2]
The ceremony takes place in front of a 45-foot (14 m) high hollow owl (representing Moloch Moloch, Molech, Molekh, or Molek, representing semitic מלך mlk, (translated directly into king) is either the name of a god or the name of a particular kind of sacrifice associated with fire. Moloch was historically affiliated with cultures throughout the Middle East, including but not limited to the Hebrew, Egyptian, Canaanite, Phoenician and related cultures in North Africa and the Levant. In modern English usage, "Moloch" can refer derivatively to any person or thing which demands or requires costly sacrifices.) statue made of concrete over expanded metal framing and steel supports. The moss- and lichen-covered statue simulates a natural rock formation, yet holds electrical and audio equipment within it. During the ceremony, a recording of the voice of Walter Cronkite, a member of the Bohemian Club, is used as the voice of The Owl.[1] Music and pyrotechnics accompany the ritual for dramatic effect.

you can progress to the Bilderberg Group.
The Bilderberg Group, Bilderberg conference, or Bilderberg Club is an unofficial annual invitation-only conference of around 130 guests, most of whom are persons of influence in the fields of politics, business and banking.
The elite group meets annually at luxury hotels or resorts throughout the world — normally in Europe, and once every four years in the United States or Canada. It has an office in Leiden in the Netherlands.[1] The 2008 conference took place in Chantilly, Virginia.[2][3]

Attendees
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Bilderberg_attendees

The steering committee does not publish a list of attendees, though some participants have discussed their attendance publicly. Others have been legally required to declare their involvement. For example, members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom must declare their participation in its Register of Members' Interests. Historically, attendee lists have been weighted towards politicians, bankers, and directors of large businesses,[4] but academics, journalists, and representatives from the non-profit sector are also invited to attend.
Heads of state have attended meetings, including Juan Carlos I of Spain[5] and Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands[6]. While serving members of government do not usually attend, prominent politicians from North America and Europe are past attendees. In recent years, board members from many large publicly-traded corporations have attended, including IBM, Xerox, Royal Dutch Shell, Nokia and Daimler.[6]
The group is frequently accused of secretive and nefarious world plots by groups such as the John Birch Society.[7] This thinking has progressively found acceptance within both elements of the populist movement and fringe politics. [8] Radio host Alex Jones claims the group intends to dissolve the sovereignty of the United States and other countries into a supra-national structure called the North American Union, similar to the European Union.
Jonathan Duffy, writing in BBC News Online Magazine states "No reporters are invited in and while confidential minutes of meetings are taken, names are not noted... In the void created by such aloofness, an extraordinary conspiracy theory has grown up around the group that alleges the fate of the world is largely decided by Bilderberg."[9]
Texas Governor Rick Perry attended Bilderberg among others which is a violation of the Logan Act.
The Logan Act is a United States federal law that forbids unauthorized citizens from negotiating with foreign governments. It was passed in 1799 and last amended in 1994. Violation of the Logan Act is a felony, punishable under federal law with imprisonment of up to three years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfJLPwzWGug

Oh and yes they have the skull they got sued over it… see this link…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/18/geronimos-descendants-sue_n_168082.html

That should keep you in research for a long time. Hope you learned something.

My formatting fell apart but it's all there... YAY go team... Told you it was helpful.

Sources:
http://www.apfn.org/apfn/thule.htm
http://web.archive.org/web/20041216070802/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thule_Society
http://www.meta-religion.com/Secret_societies/Groups/ThuleSociety/thule_society.htm
http://www.cephasministry.com/nwothule.html
Behold A Pale Horse, http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0929385225/ref=ord_cart_shr/002-9893059-6588868?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance
http://www.cephasministry.com/nwothule.html
http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/thulesociety.htm
http://www.sonomacountyfreepress.com/bohos/bohofact.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian_Grove
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moloch
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/3773019.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Bilderberg_attendees

This unhelpful rating should be removed.

Everyone has a vote as best answer button but me. Yes I know it's to stop me from voting for myself... what if I thought I had the best answer?